The War Diary of the 72nd Battalion, CEF, January - December 1918 EXTRAS found in the war diary: Orders - Amiens Operation August 1918 Signals Map - September 1918 Notebook - Captain Nasmith, November 1918 SCANNED and ATTACHED.TO MEDIA SUMMARY January 1, 1918- Church Parade and decorations presented. In evening officers had a New Year's dinner. January 9, 1918- Battalion moved into support in the Acheville Sector, relieving the 102nd Battalion. January 14, 1918- Battalion relieved 38th in front line. January 19, 1918- Battalion relieved by 24th Canadian Battalion and returned to Château de la Haie by train. January 30, 1918- Battalion moved into support in the Cite du Moulin sector under the command of Major G. H. Kirkpatrick. February 4, 1918- Battalion relieved 38th in front line. February 10, 1918- Battalion relieved by 47th and went to billets in Gouy Servins by light railway. February 18, 1918- Battalion marched to rest billets in Lozinghem for training. March 6, 1918- Battalion inspected by Corps Commander, Lieut.-Gen. Sir A. W. Currie, K.C.B. March 11, 1918- Lewis gun and rifle competitions. March 12, 1918- Battalion marched to the huts at Hersin Coupigny. March 13, 1918- Marched into support in Cite St. Pierre. Relieving the 16th Battalion, Canadian Scottish. March 18, 1918- Battalion relieved 78th Battalion in front line. March 21, 1918- Enemy commenced his last great advance in the west. March 22, 1918- Canadian gas projection on Lens and heavy barrage on enemy's part. March 23, 1918- Battalion relieved in front line by 78th Battalion and moved back to support in Cite St. Pierre and Cite Calonne. March 27, 1918- Battalion relieved by 8th Sherwood Foresters and moved back to Fosse 10, Salns-en-Gohelle. March 28, 1918- Kilts re-issued to Battalion, and orders for a further move, but orders changed, and Battalion marched to Verdrel, being inspected en route by Corps Commander, and then entrained for Cubit Camp, Neuville St. Vaast. March 29, 1918- Battalion relieved 6th and 7th Londons and 8th Battalion Middlesex Regiment of the 56th Imperial Division in front line of Gavrelle sector, opposing fresh German attack north of the Scarpe. March 29-April 4, 1918- Strenuous tour-continuation of the assault north of the Scarpe by the enemy momentarily expected. April 4, 1918- Battalion relieved by 47th Battalion and moved back to Wakefield Camp, north of Arras. April 7, 1918- Great German attack in Valley of Lys opened. April 9, 1918- Dinner given by the Battalion officers at the Ecurie Club, at which were present Lieut.-Gen. Sir A. W. Currie, Major-Gen. D. Watson, Brig.-Gen. MacBrien, etc., 90 in all. April 10, 1918- Battalion moved into support in the Bailleul sector, relieving the 75th Battalion. April 12, 1918- Redistribution of troops on Canadian Corps front necessitated changes. April 16, 1918- One of our posts raided by the enemy who were repulsed. April 17-18, 1918- Lieut. J. R. S. Lough commanded a patrol which raided the enemy's front line trenches under most difficult circumstances and inflicted many casualties on the enemy. On the same night a raid was conducted under command of Lieut. C. C. Ferrie occasioning rapid withdrawal of the enemy so that contact was not established. April 18, 1918- Battalion relieved by 78th Battalion in the front line and moved into support behind the railway embankment in front of Farbus Wood. April 22, 1918- Battalion again moved into front line relieving 78th. April 25, 1918- Spirited raid under Lieut. Hanson against Brandon trench north of Arleux, in which many casualties were inflicted on the enemy. April 28, 1918- Battalion relieved by 78th and moved back to Brigade Reserve at Hill's Camp, Neuville St. Vaast. CANADIAN CORPS IN TRAINING FOR FINAL OFFENSIVE May 6, 1918- Battalion moved to Contev1lle. May 12, 1918- Church service held and decorations presented. May 18, 1918- Battalion moved to Ostreville. May 25, 1918- Battalion moved to Auchel June 7, 1918- Battalion taken to Enguinegatte to witness tank demonstration. June 8, 1918- Battalion sports held at Auchel. July 1, 1918- Corps sports held at Tincques, a magnificent spectacle. splendidly organized and staged. July 2, 1918- Battalion paraded with the Brigade at Ferfay, and was inspected by Corps Commander, who was accompanied by Sir Robert Borden and Sir George Perley. July 6, 1918- About 400 of the Battalion went to Tincques to a Highland gathering of a very comprehensive character at which the 72nd won the Lovat Cup in face of competition from 25 other Highland units of the British Army. July 11, 1918- Battalion entrained for Maroeuil and marched to Balmoral Camp, near Neuville St. Vaast. July 19, 1918- Battalion relieved the 1st Canadian Battalion in the front. line in the Fampoux Sector. July 24, 1918- A stealth raid was carried out, in daylight, against the Boche lines under Lieut. J. McDonald, and valuable identifications secured. July 26, 1918- Battalion relieved by 86th Battalion and moved back into support. July 31, 1918- Battalion relieved by the King's Liverpool Regiment and a Battalion of the Munsters. SECRET MOVE SOUTH August 2, 1918- Battalion moved by march and bus to Aubigny where it entrained. The transport received orders to march to an unknown destination. August 3, 1918- Detrained at Hangest-sur-Somme and marched to Warlus. August 4, 1918- Marched to Pissy. August 5, 1918- Marched to Clairy-Saulchoix. August 7, 1918- Reached Boves Wood. BEGINNING OF THE END August 8, 1918- Amiens operation. German salient in the south utterly smashed by British and French. August 10, 1918- 72nd attacked and captured Maucourt and Chilly. August 12, 1918- Battalion relieved by the 20th Battalion. August 17, 1918- Battalion again moved forward to reserve positions, headquarters at Rosieres. August 24, 1918- Battalion relieved by 3rd Battalion of 88th Reserve Infantry (French) and moved back to Gentelles Wood. August 27, 1918- Battalion entrained at Longueau, detrained at Maroeuil and marched to Anzin. August 29, 1918- Battalion moved to Orange Hill. August 31, 1918- Battalion moved forward and took over the front line south of Vis-en-Artois from the 3rd Battalion in readiness for the attack on the Drocourt-Queant line. September 2, 1918- The Drocourt-Queant line, the northern portion of "impregnable" Hindenburg line, astride the Arras-Cambrai Road, taken by 72nd Battalion. September 5, 1918- Battalion moved back to trenches west of Triangle Wood. Lieut.-Col. Clark left Battalion to take Over 7th Brigade; Major G. H. Kirkpatrick taking command. September 8, 1918- Battalion moved back to Wailly, near Arras. September 18, 1918- Corps Commander inspected Brigade. September25, 1918- Battalion marched to Arras. Bombed at Arras station. September 27-30, 1918- Cambrai operations, Bourlon Wood, Blecourt, Sancourt. September 27, 1918- 72nd captured high ground to the N. E. of Bourlon Wood. September 29, 1918- Battalion captured San court and sent patrols into Blecourt. October 1, 1918- Battalion moved back to the Transport Lines, near Bourlon Village. October 2, 1918- Move made to Queant. October 6, 1918- Moved to Haute-Avesnes near Aubigny. October 9, 1918- Inspection by Sir David Watson. ON THE HEELS OF A BEATEN FOE October 15, 1918- Battalion entrained at Agnez lez Duisans and proceeded to Marquion, where it detrained and marched to Sauchy Lestree. October 18, 1918- Move made to Aubencheul-au-bac. October 19, 1918- Moved to Bugnlcourt and on to Fosse St. Roch. October 20, 1918- Left Fosse St. Roch and marched to Abscon. October 22, 1918- Moved on to Fosse Bligneres. Scenes of tremendous enthusiasm en route October 25, 1918- Battalion moved forward into support of 78th Battalion. October 27, 1918- Battalion relieved the 78th Battalion in the front line before Valenciennes. THE LAST FIGHT November 1, 1918- Valenciennes operation. 72nd Battalion attacked and captured the western defences of Valenciennes. November 2, 1918-- 72nd captured Valenciennes and St. Saulve. November 4, 1918- Battalion attacked and captured Onnaing within four miles of Belgian border. Battalion relieved same night and moved back to Anzin. November 10, 1918- President Poincare visited Valenciennes. Battalion called on to furnish Guard of Honour. November 11, 1918- Armistice declared. AFTER THE ARMISTICE November 15, 1918- The Brigade moved from Anzin, the 72nd being billeted for the night at Quievrain. November 16, 1918- Moved to Warquignies. November 20, 1918- Moved to Mesvin. November 30, 1918- Brigade inspected by the Divisional Commander, Major General Sir David Watson and decorations presented. December 3, 1918- Brigade marched through the famous city of Mons. December 12, 1918- Division moved forward, being billeted that night at Houdeng-Goegnies. December 13, 1918- Moved to Gouy-lez-Pieton. December 14, 1918- Moved to Fleurus. December 16, 1918- Moved to Grand Leez. December 17, 1918- Marched to Opprebais. December 26, 1918- Turkey Dinner. December 31, 1918- Grand ball at Hotel de Ville, Brussels, given by Officers of the 4th Canadian Division.